A typically winters day at home. Clear skies and a cold westerly wind. We had our cup of tea in the cramped little kitchen and left Winchester on exactly the same road we had come in on over 4 weeks earlier. It was miserable that day and it was such a lovely change to see it all again in wonderful conditions. Out on the back roads to Easton and Ovington which were little villages alongside the river. It was still as hilly as ever.

Down the A31 road to Alresford? where we checked out the Halifax Building Society but as it was only a sub branch we couldn't draw and money out. No matter we have 80 pounds till Monday.

Still on the main road to Ropely where we turned off to ride through a series of villages, some of which we had been through before. It was all very hilly and there were just so many trees. Its the green trees and just so many of them which sets England apart from other European countries. With a strong westerly wind behind the hills which we walked up (in the opposite direction of course) all seemed so easy now and we rode or cruised over them all. We were making good time as we went through forest around Churt and put the bikes aside for a bush stop. On starting off again we had gone only a few yards when a funny noise turned out to be a tac in my back tyre and on removing it, the air just gushed out. It was almost pleasant sitting in the sun out of the wind mending it.

On to Thursley where we bought some milk and salt & vinegar chips and sat on the seat just up the road eating lunch.

It was only a short trip to the main road which we followed through Milford and Godalming. Its nice returning to a village or town and knowing your way around. We went straight to the CTC shop and picked up all the information on as many countries as we could and bought a shirt for Ian. We were disappointed not to be able to buy more place mats which we had bought before. They had only advertised them last week and sold 180 in a few days. We rode back to the main street of Godalming and bought some mince and vegetables then down - or should I say up - the B road to Cranleigh. It was a long climb out of Godalming but so beautiful in all the green forests.

We arrived in Cranleigh about 4, did a bit more shopping and on to our old favourite Ewhurst Green hostel. It was quite strange we should arrive the day the lady warden (for whom we had cut the grass) should be leaving. There was a school group in, otherwise there would have been only a handful of people. We had dinner of mince and noodles and gave some of the left overs to an American girl we had met at Winchester and had been cycling on her own but camping.

She had spent 6 weeks cycling and camping in the rain in Germany. After dinner, we all walked down to the pub. (Not like last time when we were able to ride as it is dark by 8 now). A good night's sleep despite the young kids.